When an IRET instruction is executed what action takes place?

The IRET instruction is a 16-bit instruction that performs an inter-routine return from a procedure or interrupt handler. When the IRET instruction is executed, the following actions take place:

1. The program counter (PC) is loaded with the return address that was stored on the stack during the corresponding CALL or INT instruction.

2. The stack pointer (SP) is incremented by two, to pop the return address from the stack.

3. The CPU flags are restored from the stack.

4. The current privilege level is restored.

5. The instruction pointer (IP) is loaded with the next instruction to be executed after the return.

The IRET instruction is commonly used at the end of interrupt service routines and procedure calls to return to the code that was interrupted or calling the procedure.